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    Best Shears for Spatchcocking?

    Posts: 1,046
    in EggHead Forum
    My mom (and yes, she is wonderful) has recently come to understand the glory that is spatchcocking...which meant I felt obliged to return the kitchen shears she had bequest to me. :) So now I'm in the market for a replacement set. I want durable and functional (which means that they will easily dispense with a bird even if my hand strength isn't up to Arnold's)....price isn't a huge issue, as long as it's not "Pay for the name, not the function". Any suggestions?

    TIA
    XL, JR, and more accessories than anyone would ever need near Olympia, WA
    Sandy
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    • Posts: 19,717
      Messermeister Take-Apoart Shears are no longer Cook's Illustrated shears; Shun is now CI's favorite shears. Have had my Messermeister's for about 7 years and really like them.
      Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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    • Posts: 757
      I have these :

      Messermeister 8-Inch Take-Apart Kitchen Scissors


      Works pretty good
      LBGE & Mini
      Orlando, FL
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    • Posts: 19,717
      Also lots just use a good knife. I prefer scissors (just feel safer with them).
      Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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    • Posts: 33,793
      i use the big knife, stand chicken up, knife goes thru with tip hitting board, slice down like a giant papercutter. its quicker than shears
      fukahwee maine

      you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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    • Posts: 146
      After using a pair of free Harbor Freight scissors I bought a pair of "Poultry Sheers" from my grocery story.  Don't remember the brand, but they cost under $10.  They made the job easy and quick. 

      I'm sold on Spatchcocked Chicken.  Cheaper than cut-up chicken, easy to prepare, tastes great, and looks impressive. 
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    • Posts: 3,567
      I use Wüsthof shears. Easy to use for the most part. Every great once in while I hit a spot that needs a little force to get through the bone. Whatever pair you choose, I recommend getting a pair that separates for easy cleaning.
      imageimage
      Steven
      Mini Max with Woo stone combo, LBGE, iGrill 2, Plate Setter, 
      two cotton pot holders to handle PS
      Banner, Wyoming
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    • Posts: 8,524
      edited August 2014
      I have had these for some time. Keeps an edge and will cut skin as well as bone. The notch holds the bone very well when taking the ends off chicken legs. Tab closure to protect the edge when stored internal spring loaded to open reduces hand fatigue. Good leverage. 


      EDIT - If SWMBO is not using it, "our" 10" chef's knife works to quickly take a backbone out a la @fishlessman. 
      Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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    • Posts: 1,157
      Sharp knife works every time for me.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Welcome to the Swamp.....GO GATORS!!!!
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    • Posts: 427
      These are what we use.....the best!

      Kuhn Rikon 2706 Kitchen Shears, Black

      List Price:$22.25
      Price:$19.39 & FREE Shipping on orders over $35. Details
      You Save:$2.86 (13%)
      In Stock.
      Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
      Want it tomorrow, Aug. 19? Order within 6 hrs 1 min and choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
      Black
      • Black
       White
      • Ultra-sharp and durable kitchen shears with ergonomic, easy-grip handles in black
      • Self-sharpening blades for long-lasting use; powerful spring action makes it easy to grip and operate
      • Integrated herb stripper and bottle opener
      • Color-matching plastic protective sheath for safety and storage
      • Hand wash and dry.
      3 new from $19.39
      George
      Palm Beach Gardens, Fl and Blairsville, Ga.
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    • Posts: 4,738
      Cutco super shears are down right amazing. Can cut a penny in half! Makes short work of chicken and never needs sharpening.
      XL, Small, Mini & Mini Max Green Egg, Shirley Fab Trailer, 6 gal and 2.5 gal Cajun Fryers, BlueStar 60" Range, 48" Lonestar Grillz Santa Maria, Alto Shaam 1200s, Gozney Dome, Gateway 55g Drum
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    • Posts: 6,239
      I have to admit the Kuhn-Rikon shears look really nice.

      I've been using a pair of broad bladed tin snips. The tool steel needs prompt cleaning after use, but I've never had a problem going thru larger birds like turkey and goose. Cost under $10 some years ago.
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    • Posts: 146
      aem said:
      After using a pair of free Harbor Freight scissors I bought a pair of "Poultry Sheers" from my grocery store.  Don't remember the brand, but they cost under $10.
      The brand is "Good Cook".  Also available on Amazon.
      http://www.amazon.com/Good-Cook-Touch-Gourmet-Shears/dp/B0013MXG4Q
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    • Posts: 4,232
      The Butchers'
      New Albany, Ohio 

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    • Posts: 4,858
      I use Kershaw taskmaster 1120

      Dishwasher safe

      Cuts chicken like butter

      The notch in the blade allows to break drumstick and wing bones (useful when doing a ballotine or lollipops)

      Good grip

      Japanese steel

      Shun are apparently rebranding and selling them at a premium. I have seen the Shun version side by side with this one and they are identical.

      imageimage

      ____________________
      Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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    • Posts: 45
      Trauma Shears work great for me.
      Jax, FL
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    • Posts: 4,858
      @THEBuckeye‌ has a point... your butcher will hapilly do it for you.

      @fishlessman‌ also has a point. I did not use shears until recently. Before I got them, I was using a chef knife and it worked well.

      ____________________
      Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. •Niccolo Machiavelli
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    • Posts: 12,136
      Mickey said:
      Messermeister Take-Apoart Shears are no longer Cook's Illustrated shears; Shun is now CI's favorite shears. Have had my Messermeister's for about 7 years and really like them.
      For the money the Messermeister looks hard to beat Mickey. I have a set of their knifes and really like them. I just picked up a pair of the Shun on sale for half off and they were still $30 but I really like them. Reviews are very mixed. Quality control seems to be a big issue on the Shun Shears. I got lucky and got a good pair.
      Thank you,
      Darian

      Galveston Texas
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    • Posts: 17,629
      What is this Spatchcock you speak of? :))
      LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
      Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
      Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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    • Posts: 1,046
      @NPHuskerFL‌ That made me laugh in the middle of a training. Doh!
      XL, JR, and more accessories than anyone would ever need near Olympia, WA
      Sandy
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    • Posts: 4,232
      image
      New Albany, Ohio 

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    • Posts: 26,192
      Thatgrimguy said:
      Cutco super shears are down right amazing. Can cut a penny in half! Makes short work of chicken and never needs sharpening.
      +1 on Cutco and mine are nearly 30 years old and have never been sharpened!
      Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time!
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    • Posts: 8,364
      +1 on the Shun taskmasters.  They are bulldozers.  Comes with a nice magnetic sheath for keeping handy on the fridge. 
      Brandon
      Quad Cities
      "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

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    • Posts: 19,717
      RRP said:
      show previous quotes
      +1 on Cutco and mine are nearly 30 years old and have never been sharpened!

      Can you take them apart to clean?
      Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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    • Posts: 1,078
      +2 on the Cutco shears.Gauranteed for life and great cust. service.
      The new model Cutco shears are way better then the original model.
      I mailed them my old pair back and they sent me a brand new pair of shears.
      love them!
      "I'm stupidest when I try to be funny" 
      New Orleans

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    • Posts: 26,192
      Yo Mickey...yes they come apart very easy!
      Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time!
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    • Posts: 496
      I'm using the Shun scissors but I'm sure there are many models that would work just as well.
      XL BGE -  Med BGE - Mini BGE - Traeger Pellet Grills

       Hillsboro OR
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    • Posts: 63
      Oxo Good poultry shears.  The one thing nobody has mentioned that I like about these is a notch in the bottom blade that keeps the shears from "backing up" when you hit bone.  I love mine.  The Dru

      Versailles, KY

      XL, Lg, MM, Performer, Q

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    • Posts: 14,831
      edited August 2014
      In all my years, I have never felt the need to cut a penny in half. :) Not only is it a waste of money, but I never figured out how to cook 'em! :)

      I use the Wusthof's pictured above. Or my chefs knife. The other night, I used moms Fiskars generic household scissors. Umm, no!

      I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

      Michael 
      Central Connecticut 

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    • Posts: 16,591
      My Henckel's have worked fine for years, good leverage compared to some, but they don't come apart for cleaning.  
      ___________

      "They're eating the checks!  They're eating the balances!"  

      Ogden, UT


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    • Posts: 1,046
      I've got plenty of knives, but I like the leverage I get when using shears. (Admittedly, I've never stood Mr. Chicky up to do so...will have to try.) I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a set of Cutcos...they let me order them over the phone rather than having to go to a fair or have someone come to my home. Sheesh - those are expensive! I hope they are worth it, lol. They should be here in less than two weeks...until then, I guess my next spatch will be done with the birdie standing up. :) Thanks all your suggestions!
      XL, JR, and more accessories than anyone would ever need near Olympia, WA
      Sandy
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